The services of an architect are a legal requirement for those wishing to carry out many types of renovation work on their homes or other real estate that they own. But when are you required by law to use an architect, what can you expect from them and how much will it cost you? The Flemish Architects Network has answered all of these questions and more in an interview with the VRT’s consumer affairs programme ‘WinWin’.
When do you need to enlist the services of an architect and how much will it cost you?
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It’s best to do your homework before you start renovating and existing house or building a new house from scratch. For example, it is important to be certain that you can trust the building contractors before you sign a contract with them to do the work. The Flemish Construction Federation Bouwunie has developed a web tool (only available in Dutch).
The Chair of the Flemish Architects’ Network (NAV) Dirk Mattheeuws told the VRT that "An architect guides you though the construction process itself and also, for example, which permits you require to carry out the work. It is all becoming more complex, so it is important that you seek proper assistance”.
Which permits do you need?
"There is a list of all the types of building work for which a permit is required. For some types of work don’t require a building permit, but you are obliged to inform the authorities that the work is being carried out. There are also types of work that require neither and that you can just get on with”.
"You can best ask at you local Town Hall before you start the work, so you will know what your obligations are. It can also be interesting to run through your plans with an architect.”
When is it mandatory to use an architect?
"The law stipulates which types of construction and renovation work require an architect. A list is available of the types of work that don’t require an architect. However, this is not exhaustive”
“For example, for structural stability work you will always have to use an architect. If, for example, something needs to be shored up, because you want to create a new doorway, you must assume that you will need an architect”.
"From the beginning of 2026 certain types of interior work will no longer require a building permit, on condition that an architect follows up the work and takes responsibility for it”.